My Blog

Since the early 1990's Mike and I have opened our home and hosted Christmas parties for family, friends, board members, council members, my staff and his staff in various iterations. Through the years the size of group determined if it would be an open house, a party with heavy appetizers and desserts, an everybody bring something event, or a sit-down meal. Many years I've been inspired by a new food trend or new recipe that sets the tone for the event. This year I just wasn'

My modern cottage isn't decorated following the latest trends, but is a joy filled layering of generations and traditions.

It's a table ready for family and friends as we celebrate Thanksgiving together. Blessings to you as you as you prepare for your own special gathering.

This Fall I've found myself drawn to deep burgundy, plum, and other berry colors. It's such a rich and beautiful set of colors to bring together with the traditional orange, yellow, and brown found in nature during this season. I've gathered these elements to create an inviting tablescape.

I made a loose arrangement of the hydrangeas. Filled a mason jar that happened to be on my kitchen counter with the roses and made three nice nosegays with the lavender. Savoring the lasts bits of summer.

I was recently scrolling the pages of old issues of Country Living magazine and came across photos of front door hangings they had created. The base was a vintage silver platter. I love decorating with vintage platters, so I knew this was a DIY project I would take on.

For this seasonal change I pulled everything out (except for the pastels) and "played" with my dishes to find the color combination that spoke to me for Fall. Keeping it to 12 place settings, I pulled together rich shades of red, orange, earthy greens, brown, gray, and black.

In the fall the blooms are fabulous for cutting and drying. The dry blooms are beautiful in a vase or can be worked into floral arrangements and wreaths.

I have enjoyed celebrating several happy hours, book club meetings and luncheons with friends at a more casual “witchy” event.  It is fun to pull together a witch outfit, assemble creepy or cute foods and drinks to share, and get together for a cackling fun time.